In the wake of the recent tragic industrial incident at the GLS Company in Bawal, an unsettling pattern has emerged where Safety Officers, such as the one involved in this case, face arrest during investigations. This is not only distressing for those who are committed to ensuring workplace safety but also raises critical legal questions about accountability under the Factories Act, 1948.

From my personal perspective, the major responsibility of ensuring safety lies squarely with the upper investment and decision-making tiers of a company. Management, particularly the Occupier and Factory Manager or Plant Management, hold the reins of control over vital aspects such as:

- Allocating budgets for safety measures,
- Building and maintaining safety infrastructure,
- Equipping emergency facilities,
- Implementing engineering modifications,
- Making production decisions,
- Ensuring compliance with safety standards.

It is unjust to lay the blame solely on the shoulders of the Safety Officer, who operates within the constraints and directives provided by the company’s management. These officers are primarily executors of the safety strategies dictated to them – their capacity to effect change is inherently limited by the resources and policies set by those above them.

The current trend of arresting Safety Officers during accident investigations undermines the very fabric of how industrial safety is structured. It deters talented professionals from taking on such crucial roles, and it deflects attention from more systemic issues arguably rooted in higher executive and managerial decisions.

Given the legal stipulations of the Factories Act, 1948, and the clear demarcation of responsibilities, it is imperative to reassess how culpability is assigned during such incidents. Holding Safety Officers individually liable in this manner is a deviation from fair justice and optimal safety governance.

We urge the legal system, industry leaders, and policymakers to re-evaluate the role of Safety Officers and ensure they are shielded from undue and legally unwarranted punitive measures. Let us strive to create a safer and more accountable industrial environment by signing this petition to end the wrongful arrest of Safety Officers caught in the turbulence of legal proceedings post-accidents. Your signature could contribute to safeguarding the integrity and purpose of workplace safety personnel. Please sign this petition to support a fair and just approach to industrial safety accountability.